Lome: The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission concluded a two-day Regional Workshop on the Harmonisation of the Legal, Policy and Regulatory Framework of the Postal Sector, held from August 12th to 13th, 2026, in Lomé, Togo. The workshop aimed to validate the approach and orientations of the regional Directive on Postal Sector Reform and Regulation, while considering strategic priorities for a Regional Postal Master Plan covering the medium term. According to African Press Organization, the workshop brought together experts from ten ECOWAS Member States, alongside representatives of the ECOWAS Commission, the ECOWAS Project Preparation and Development Unit (PPDU), the Pan-African Postal Union (PAPU), and the West African Postal Conference (WAPCO). Mr Jerome Wanyou, Political Advisor, speaking on behalf of H.E. Ambassador Deweh Emily Gray, highlighted the strategic role of postal services in connecting communities and supporting regional trade and financial inclusion. He emphasized t hat modernizing and harmonizing the regulatory framework is crucial for strengthening the foundations of West African integration. Ms Folake Olagunju, Director of Digital Economy and Post, representing H.E. Dr Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, discussed the transformation of the postal sector into an ecosystem that includes e-commerce, logistics, digital services, and financial inclusion. She stressed the importance of a regulatory framework that fosters innovation, fair competition, and consumer protection. Mr Mouhamed Lamine Diallo, Executive Secretary of WAPCO, welcomed the review of the 2016 Directive, emphasizing the need to align it with trends in e-commerce, digitalization, and financial inclusion. Mme Ndeye Coumba Seck, Director of Postal Services at Senegal's Ministry of Telecommunications and Digital Economy, and chair of the meeting, called for stronger regional cooperation to address challenges in digital transformation and financial inclusion. The workshop concluded with p articipants supporting the review of the 2016 Directive to better reflect technological, economic, and regulatory developments in the postal sector. Priority areas identified include digital transformation, e-commerce, modernization of universal postal service, consumer protection, financial inclusion, innovation, and strengthened regional harmonization. Participants also endorsed the strategic orientations for the future Regional Postal Master Plan 2027-2030, focusing on governance, regional integration, legal framework modernization, digital transformation, logistics and e-commerce, and capacity building, partnerships, and financing. The ECOWAS Commission will continue consultations with Member States to develop the revised Directive and Regional Postal Master Plan, aiming to build a modern, integrated, competitive, and resilient postal sector that supports trade, inclusion, and regional economic development across West Africa.
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